Apparatus for producing illusory dramatic effects.



. PATENTED MAR. 31, 1908.

N. BURGESS. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUSORY DRAMATIC EP 'TS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 17. 1906.

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APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUSORY DR APPLICATION rum) APR. 17. 1906.

AMATIO EFFECTS.

PATENTED MAR. 31, 1908.

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v view showing the met UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIo-E.

.NEILSON BURGESS, OF HIGH LANDS, NEW JERSEY.

I APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ILLUSORY DRAMATIC EFFECTS.

Specification 01 Letters Patent.

Patented March 31, 1908.

Application filed April 17, 1906. SerialNo. 312,166.

.such a device inwhich an inanimate figure is given movements resembling that-of an animate figure; and a further object is the production of such a device in which an inanimate figure ma be attached to and have the appearance 0 a portion of an animate figure and be given movement resembling that of an animate figure; and a furthpnobject is to provide means for imparting seern ing grotesque movements to an apparently animate figure. I

A form of device in the use of which these objects may be attained is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view of a stage'illustrating thereon a device embodying-my invention placed thereon. 2 is a view in side elevation of a person having a figure embody' ing my invention attached thereto, the device embodying the invention being cut in cross-section; 3 is a'detail side viewshowing the method of attachment of the device to a person. F' 4 is a detail front 0d of attachment-of the device to a person. 5 is a detail view showing a modified form of the device, the casin being cut in'section on a plane to show bot the shaft and rod. 6 is a view in cross-section through the latter form with the collars removed. Fig. 7 is a detail view, partially diagrammatic showing another method of a plying the invention, the

view being taken rem the rear. Fig.-8 is a side view showing the same device, v In the accompanying drawin the letter a denotes a stage provided wit the usual wings I) and other appurtenances common'to such a structure. I

In carrying out my invention I place upon the stage a casing 1 formed of any suitable material and preferably extending from side to side of the stage, although the length of this casing is not material to my invention. This case extends-in a practicallyhorizontal the case, hanging therefrom. Shafts 4 tenant to each of the figures.

direction and is located at the properdistance above the stage floor, usually about the height of the waist-of a person. A curtain 2 is employed to cover'the space between the case and the sta e floor. This curtain may-bepainted or ecorated to represent any desired scenein'harmony with the other stagev settings, and is preferably attached t3 an 5 extend len thwise within the case 1 to a oint preferably within or beyond the wings at which point they may be rovided with handles or cranks 6. These s afts are suitably mounted within the casing so that they.

may turn or rotate therein. Sleeves 7-,8 are splined to the shafts 4 and 5 so that they may have a free sliding movement lengthwise alon the shafts and to'these sleevesare secured t 'e upper limb sections 910. It will thus be seen that as the shafts are turned these limb sections will be thrown outward. Lower limb sections 1l-12 are pivotally secured to the upper limb sections, and feet 13-14 are pivotally secured to the lower limb sections.

A spring 15 is secured between each foot, and the lower limb section to cause the foot under the influence of the spring to point with its' toe away from the lower limb section, as shown by the foot 13 in Fi 2 of. the drawings. When the lower lim section is in position to rest the foot on the floor the foot will assume a horizontal position, as shown at 14 in Fig. 2.

The numeral 16 denotes the upper portion of a female figure and-17 the lower portion thereof, see Fig. 2 of the-drawings, a number of these figures 16 being the drawings, and it wil be understood that the mechanism herein described for operating a single pair of limbs applies equally to the mechanism for'inoving the limbs'ap ur- Each of t ese res stands .behind the curtain 2,- and a pair of limbs, as above described, is attached to each of the figures, preferably 'at the being free to move back of the curtain aterally of the stage and swinging movement being imparted-to the waist line, each a limbs by means. of the shafts 4 and 5.. By grotesque movement of the and it will appear that this this means any limbs may beha movement is that of the limbs of the figures in view of theaudience.

- The sleeves ,7 and S are connected as by a yoke 18 so that the limbsarealways mainshown in Fig. 1 of,

tained in the same'relative position. This yoke, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, is preferably formedin halves, and lies within the grooves 19 in the sleeves. This yoke is somewhat loosely connected so that there may be no binding action of the collars or sleeves in theirslioing movement along the shafts. The yoke has, preferably rigidly secured thereto, a band 20. This band is sufiiciently rigid to steadily support the sleeves and move them along the shaft, and yet is sufficiently'flexible to conform to the shape of the waist of the wearer. Strapsv 21 attached to the ends of the band serve as a means of securing the limbs to the figure. A skirt 22 is secured to the upper limb sections, or to the band 20, this shirt covering the upper limb portions and having the .appearance as being worn by the figure sections may be operated a' ariety of Ways rately moved.

standing or moving behind the curtain 2.

The lower limb sections may be swung on their pivots as by means of cords 23 secured at one end to the lower limb sections and passing through eyelets 24 located on the upper limb sections to a band 25 encircling the arm. ofthe figure.

It will thus be seen that by operating the shafts land 5, movingthe'm to and fro, the upper limb sections appurtenantsto each of the figures may be moved at the will of an operator located between or beyond the wings or in other suitable screened position, each limb section of each pair being sepa- The lower limb sections may be moved bythe person represented by the figure the numeral 16 located behind. the

curtain, and this movement of the lower limb sections may be imparted by any 7 desired means, in the form shown this movement being imparted by a natural move ment of the arms of the person as in dancing. The limbs may thus be given a variety of movements resembling that of a dancing figure, the limbs being thrown out in a variety of positions and the foot assuming different positions, being horizontally arranged when restin on the floor and thrown out as in dancing wnen the limbs are thrown outward. i

It will be observed that the upper limb withoutdeparting from the invention.

In Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings I have shown a modified form in which there is a single shaft 26 which may be rotated continuously in one direction as by means of a handle-27. .A sleeve 28 is-splined to the shaft on which the supports 29 for the upper limb sections are so mounted that the sleeve may rotate freely therein. These supports have clutch surfaces 30 to engage clutch surfaces on a clutch 31 which is splined to the sleeve and is adapted to engage either of the supports 29. This clutch may be moved into engagement with either of the sions from-the upper leg section 37 are This magnet islsuPported-on a shelf 41 seeeassr I supports as by means of.a rod 32, having a toothed part 33 engaging a tooth 34 on the clutch 31. This will afford a yielding connection, the spring rod allowing the clutch 3'1 to be disengaged from the cooperating parts under unduepressure, the tooth 34 slipping over the teeth 33.

A plural number of rods 32 may be employed to operatethe limb sections appurtenant to. different figures, each',of these rods bearing the toothed part 33, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. It will be seen that bymy improved device inanimate devices, apparently a part of an animate figure, may be given movement 3 by means located'out of view of an observer of the figure-from certain directions, and that such means may be variously located with respect to the moving figures.

Anothersuoh device is shown in .Figs. 7 and 3 in which the numeral 35 denotes a support to which is splined a sleeve 36 free to slide along the support, this sleeve having circumferential grooves in whichextcnso I located to rotate independently of the sleeve,

but to be moved len thwise with it. A

connection 38is provic e'd between this extension and the armature 39 of a magnet 40.

cured to the sleeve 36 and a rest 42 extending laterally of the stage may be provided against which a roller 43 may run to facilitate movement of the shelf 41. It will be' understood that the sleeve 36 isto be secured to the waist of a person as hereinbefore de scribed.'- V fires 44; and 47 extend from the magnet to a battery 45, and a circuit closing device 46 may be employed to energize the magnets. It will thus be seen t'hat'when 105, the key or closing device 46 is operated to close the circuit the magnets will be ener- 4 gins-d, the armature 39 drawn downward and the upper leg sections thrown outward as heretofore described.

What I claim as my invention" and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a stage appliance, an actuator located on the stage, an inanimate object formed in imitation of an animate object and mounted to be moved by the actuator,

and a screen arranged to hide that portion of the animate object represented by the inanimate object.

2. In a stage appliance, an actuator 10- cated' on the stage and projecting beyond the Wings thereof, an inanimate object formed in imitation of an animate object. and mounted to be moved by said actuator, and a screen arranged to hide that portion of the animate object represented by the inanimate object.

3. In a stage appliance, an actuator located on the stage, an inanimate object formed in imitation of an animate object cancer a.

and mounted to be operated the actuator,

means for attaching said object to an animate object, and a screenarranged to hide that portion otthe animate object represented. by the inanimate object.

In appliance, an actuator located on the stage, an inanimate object formed in imitation of an animate object and motm'ted to be operated by the actuator,

but movable independently thereof, means for securing said inanimate object. to an animate object, and a screen arranged to hide that portion of the animate object represented by the inanimate object.

5. In a stage appliance, a shaft mounted on the stage for turning movement, an inanimate object formed in imitation of an animate object and connected to be operated by said shaft, and a screen arranged to 6 hide that portion of an animate object represented by the inanimate object 6. In a appliance, an actuator located on the stage, a pair of limb sections operatively connected with the actuator, a

screen for partially hiding a person located appurtenant to said limb sections, and means for attaching the limb sections to said person '7. In a stage appliance, an actuator located on the stage, a pair of limb sections connected to be operated by the actuator, but having movement independently thereof, a screen, and means for attachingthe limb sections to person partially hidden by said screen. i Y

' 3. In a stage appliance, an actuator located on the stage limb sections connected to be independently operated by the actuator, but i'uiving movenent independently 40 thereof, a screen, and means for securing the limb sections to a person partially hidden by said screen. 4

9. In a stage appliance, an actuator located on the stage, upper and lower limb sections connected to be operated by the means for moviig the lower limb sections independently oi the upper limb sections, anal a screen tor partially hiding rson located appurtenant to the limb in stage appliance, an actuator located on the stage, upper and lower limb sections connected to be operated by the i but having movement indey thereof, means for moving the limb sections independently of the upper limb sections, and a screen for partially l'uding'j person. located appurtenant to the limb so In a st e appliance, an actuator located on the stage, a pair of limb sections l1 iiieuibcr of 1 pair mounted to be indently more a the actuator and both ng a mov dent independently of said atoi', each ber of the pairconsisting of upper and lower parts, means for moving the ower limb sections independently of the upper limb sections, a screen, and means for attachment of the limb sections to a person partially hidden by said screen.

12. In a stage appliance, an actuator located on the stage, upper and lower limb sections mounted to be moved by said actuator but having a movement independently thereof, a screen, means for attachment of the limb sections to a person partially hidden by the screen, and means to be attached to the arm of the ersoriand for movin the lower limb sections independently o the upper limb sections.

13. In a. stage appliance, an actuator located on the stage, means for operating the actuator, an inanimate object mounted to be moved by said actuator, and a screen arranged to partially hide an animate object 5 located appurtenant to and apparently constituting part of said inanimate object.

14. In a stage appliance, an actuator located on the stage, means screened from the view of an audience for operating the actuator, an inanimate object mounted to be moved by said. actuator, and a screen to partially hide an animate object located appurtenant to and apparently constituting a part oi said inanimate object. 5

15. In a stage appliance, an actuator 10-. cated on the stage, an inanimate object mounted. to be moved by the actuator and formed to represent a portion clan animate object, and a screen arranged to permit view of said inanimate object but to partially hide the animate object.

16. In a stage appliance, an actuator lo-' cated on the stage, an inanimate object mounted to be moved by the actuator and formed to represent a portion of an animate object, and a screen arranged back of but appurtenant to the inanimate obj ect 17. In a' stage appliance, an actuator located on the stage, mechanism formed in imitation of a portion of an animate object and mounted to be moved. by the actuator, and a screen arranged to hide that portion of said animate object imitated by said mechanism.

18. In a stage appliance, an actuator, a pair of limb sections located on the stage operatively connected with the actuator, and means for attachlnentof the limb sections to a person.

19. In a stage appliance, an actuator 10- cated on the stage, a pair of limb sections connected to be operated by the actuator,

but having movement independently thereof, l and means for attachment of the limb sections to a person. 20. In. a stage appliance, a casing extending horizontally along the stage at a distance therefrom, an actuator located within said casing, aninanimate object formed. mime tation of an an mate ob ect operatlvely connected with said actuator and extending downward therefrom, and a screen secured to said casing to hide that part of an animate object imitated by the inanimate object.

21. In a stage appliance, a casing extend-- ing across the'stage at a hei ht substantially equal to that of the waist oft person, an actuator located in said casing, a pair of limb sections operatively connected to'said actuator and extending downward therefrom, a screen arranged to hide a person from the waist downward, and means for connection of said limb sections toa person.

22. In a stage appliance, an actuator 1ocated on the stage, a pair of limb sections operatively connected with said actuator, a screen arranged to hide that portion of a peri I i son from the waist downward, means for connection of the limb sections to a person, and a skirt to cover the upper portion of the limb sections.

23. A casing arranged upon a stage at substantially the height of the waist of a person, an actuator located within said casin limb sections operatively connected to saii actuator, means for connecting the limb sections to a person, a screen arran ed to hide that portion of a person from the waist downward, and a skirt to cover the upper portion of the limb sections.

NEILSON BURGESS. i Vitnesses DAVID Townes, WM. H. DEHLMAN. 

